Tag: booking

Do you know what is takes to make your party happen!?
When booking an event or casting for a show, much time and ground work is involved no matter the size of the booking scale.
We know all too well that in one booking there are many facets of the design. When we get the call from our client, we immediately begin the planning stages to bring a vision to life. And within that vision is an entire crew of experts to make that dream a reality.
It begins with our leader Bella who discusses the wants and needs of the client typically over the phone or through many e-mail conversations. Bella makes sure she is crystal clear on how and what the client is hoping to create for their event or film project. After numerous communications between client and Bella, the creative process begins.
Bella maps out details in precise formation with swatches of fabrics, hand written drawings that map out each idea, costume, look, color scheme, and style of entertainment requested.
What is needed for each request? Bella gets many calls from casting directors or for film or tv project where big named casting companies rely on Bella’s savvy casting abilities to find that “impossible to find” actor or model.
Perhaps someone is planning a Great Gatsby Party or another themed entertainment where there are a lot of pieces to the puzzle- and need someone with years of experience and a strong talent pool to put together the night.
Many times events need personal, professional writers to map out the script and dialogue.
Bella then begins to make the calls to her well thought out team of experts whom will begin the creating process right with her. Dance captain and choreographer Tonya Vivian will begin the visuals of what she will start to choreograph while musical director Irby Gascon starts mapping out the sound, sound track and all of the PA and musical aspects of the event. With the choreographer and music director in place, the creative part of the process is ready.
Tonya will carefully hand select the dancers and begin mapping out the choreography. The dancers are picked by their technique of dance, and stage presence and ability to bring the client’s vision to life. The dancers are cast by Bella on their ability, look and most importantly their integrity to work as a team and represent Tribute Productions in the most professional way. The dance team is a group of working professional dancers who all come together to make the performance a success.
Many times other professional experts are brought in to help with any props, red carpets, lighting or atmosphere entertainment that Tribute is so well known for. For every event, Bella will custom costume all of the performers. She will work with her client and even create custom product branding on all of her custom costumes.
There is an in-house seamstress to help with custom costuming in which Bella works directly one on one with to map out costuming and to make sure each stitch is exactly as needed.
Musicians, actors, and specialty talents may be called to fill in all the missing pieces of the event theme.
Many times a specific casting call may need to happen to cast a model, or Hollywood double to fit the role of the booking.
Then there is a crew that will help load everything into the event and help pack it all up.
All in one night work!
They say “it takes a village” and in the case of booking a live event, casting for a TV show, putting together a party or even just a very small personal appearance- the team of experts it takes to make an event “the most memorable” really does rely on our team of the best.
We are proud to say how good we feel knowing we put our clients in the best hands possible to not only bring their vision to life, but to make and create that life into their vision!

From working The Dolby in Hollywood (24! Dolls on the 24th!) to our Strolling Human Tables Masquerade Strolling Tables in San Clemente, to our Life size Champagne Glass in Irvine, to Tux Tail Dolls in Beverly Hills- we have it covered! All in one night!

WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME A DOLL; What an amazing opportunity to be hired to do what you love. That’s what all the great teachers teach- when your heart leads your way you can never go wrong.

With the Mrs. Bella’s Dolls brand, I personally created a job in which I wanted to work it myself. I wanted to create an opportunity to use a little bit of niche acting skills, all my years of dance and comedy, super glam costumes and hair and somehow “entertain” people. As I grew more and more into the Miss Bella role, I realized how amazing it was to engage with people, get to know perfect strangers, help them remissness to the glamor girls of Classic Hollywood bringing that style to life for them to experience and of course bring them treats from my tray.

Along the Bella’s Doll journey, I also created a space to bring in more girls with the same passion and vision as myself. That was more than 16 years ago, and today Bella’s Dolls is one of the most successful retro pin up girl companies. Bella’s Dolls was Hollywood’s very first candy girl company and if the saying is true that “imitation is the most sincere form of flattery”- then we are flattered! It seems everyone wants to be a Bella’s Doll! we love being the pioneers to bring back the classic cigarette girl!

So what does it take to become a Bella’s Doll!? (we get asked this one a lot)-

We are quite specific about who we hire to represent our brand so here are just some of what we look for when hiring our girls;

* Integrity. You would think beautiful looks would be #1 but we actually look for models who have integrity to their character. A girl who makes choices from the heart and displays her class in all she does. Are you motivated by money only? or do you make choices from joy and passion? we prefer to hire the the happy, joyful types who make integrity a priority of their character. Jayne Russell in GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES who married for love is right up our alley!

*Professionalism. A savvy girl who can make the best of any situation with a Grace Kelly smile. Working as a Doll may find you in many different situations so a professional girl will need to go with the flow and always remain elegant and charming even if she is not feeling that on the inside. Our regular working Dolls know how to keep the grace in all situations.

*Face and legs. Of course to be a Bella’s beauty great legs are always a crowd pleaser and giving good face is important too, but we believe each female has her own unique beautiful face so knowing how to enhance your natural beauty and bring the red lips and lashes to life will get you hired. Can you become your favorite bombshell with hair and make-up?

* Taking direction. Bella’s bookings have lots of details so it’s very important to read job sheets well and clear, and pay attention to all the wordy details. Some times the job bookings change on a moments notice, so its important to listen to the clients needs and take direction on any new changes on the job. A good listener and reader is something we always notice and will book girls based on this detail alone for some jobs where we need to rely on all the small details.

*Sweet as candy. We only hire girls who have a genuine sweetness in who they are. Are you as sweet as the candy in the trays? that is what we look for. Not only sweet with us, the clients and guests, but to the other Bella’s Dolls you are working with. Bella’s Dolls pride themselves with being “like family” and that is the tone we like to keep. We look for genuine sweetness.

*Acting & Entertaining. We love girls who can bring something to the role of dancer, Champagne Doll, or candy girl. Be it on stage or in the ballrooms, our Dolls have a way with what they do that they make an entrance on every event booking. Can you add something to your part? we need much more than a pretty girl holding a tray. Can you be so memorable that the client requests you back? we make notes of which girls get the requests.

*Gratitude. Finally one of the most important factors to us is gratitude. We realize models, dancers and actresses want to work, and we feel like we offer a fun & great opportunity that pays great- so we hope whoever we hire never forget to say “thank you”. When you express gratitude- you will always create more abundance in your life. A true and honest happiness that beams from within will shine in your energy and it can be infectious- so share your gratitude generously and watch what happens. We love grateful girls who are not afraid to let us know they love working with us and show it.

*Become a Doll. So if you feel you have all the requirements to become a Mrs. Bella’s Doll you can email us a recent un-touched up head shot and body shot and bio to info@tributeproductions.com

As we prepare for this weekend’s very important fund raiser, we want to take a moment to reflect on the importance of “giving back” and our dedication as a Talent Agency that truly cares about our community and as performers who realize the gifts we have been blessed with. We hope we inspire you to think of your own unique ways to “give back”.

As the owner of both Tribute Productions Talent and Mrs. Bella’s Dolls, I do get many requests to donate our talents. Since 1983 I have been dedicated to charity foundations that support the wellness of children, animal welfare, and in music and dance therapy for the elderly. I advocate it for myself as well as my performing family (husband and daughter).

We will be at THE GATSBY GALA this weekend to raise funds for THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB raising funds to keep THE ARTS available for these beautiful young minds.

I know how ART changed my life and am excited to have our entertainment at this important event.

Practice Random Acts of Kindness…

Back in 1983 when I began my professional “performing” career I was faced with decisions on which direction I wanted to go with my performing career. In those early days I discovered quickly that my “act” was something that I could offer to others that somehow lifted, or brought to many, an experience that could bring happiness. Once I discovered this experience, I decided to sit and write (there was no email or Internet in those days) every charity foundation that involved children or animals. This decision still stands today and now that I am an agent and not always working as a performer, I still find ways to “give back”.

From LIGHT THE NIGHT LLS, to ANIMAL RESCUE foundations, RETIREMENT HOMES and working with the elderly, to raising funds to support the Arts for BOYS AND GIRLS Clubs- my commitment to give back has always been and will always be a priority for me.

The ability to receive lessons like this is priceless and
available to all of us. Selfless service will change anyone’s life for certain. The best
way to get over any personal problem for yourself is to give unconditionally to
someone else.

Working as a performer, my world opened to me BECAUSE of this understanding. My very
first request as a Madonna look-alike was to dance for sick and homeless children, and I
will never forget the impact of how a simple visit and performance brought such
joy to hundreds of young children. A simple request from Mom asking me if I
could come to a Christmas charity event and “dance like that girl that people say
you look like” broadened my understanding as a look-alike.
It was a challenge to understand this at first, as I thought “I am not the real
celebrity – what can I possibly do to cheer up anybody?” After this event and my
first visit to CHOC (Children’s Hospital of California), I quickly learned that most
of the children wanted to meet Madonna, and for some children it was a “last
request” before they went into life-threatening surgeries.
None of the children understood that I was “only a look-alike,” and the thrill of a
“celebrity” coming to visit them in their Hospital room was a highlight for many.
As a look-alike, early experiences like these brought my awareness to a new level.
What could be more rewarding to experience in this life than knowing that a
moment of time could mean making a loving difference by bringing the experience
of “celebrity” to someone who may never get the opportunity to meet a star?
By giving a personal visit, song, or dance, or merely signing an autograph, you
can make a lasting impression on someone’s life. Thousands of children’s hospitals,
retirement homes, and endless charities that need entertainment will give
you an opportunity to make a small difference. Find a cause that you feel passionate
about, and submit your promotional materials to their entertainment
department or coordinator.
Charities and nonprofit organizations can be easily found on the Internet or in your local Yellow Pages. There are some charities that offer pay for entertainment,but after you have experienced selfless giving, money, fame, or celebrity pales in comparison to the joy you will feel in your heart in experiencing this kind of connection with people of all ages and conditions.

When I was a little girl, my Daddy would always take note of what I would tell him with “honey you can think about that in a different way”. I had no idea what he was talking about but he was always so concerned for me to look at my life experiences through the eyes of positive thinking. How lucky I was to have him show me by example when I was barely 9 or 10 years old how to shift my perception of any crappy life situation. Dad would say “you can choose to feel like something bad is happening to you, or you can choose to get the lesson”. Wow how grateful I am today to have such a wise and insightful Daddy-O to guide what would be my life understandings for the rest of my life!

Happiness doesn’t happen by chance. Either consciously or unconsciously, happy people choose to be happy. By their perception of life circumstances and either feeling like the victim or (as dad said) “see the lessons in it”.

So before your life speeds by too quickly, get up, get out, be like a child and play, challenge your fears, laugh out loud, run barefoot in the grass, forgive, let go, shift from victim thinking to gratitude, try something new, be yourself (everyone else is taken), be brave enough to show who you really are inside out, love often, kiss often, and simply try to make the choice of happiness in life.

and as my dear daddy would tell me ” remember even the prettiest of pin up girls are the most beautiful when they are happy human beings”

Mrs. Bella’s Dolls have been called to represent some of the biggest names in the beauty and entertainment industry representing some major names like RIMMEL, MTV, GWEN STEFANI and SONY PICTURES to name a few. Mrs. Bella has in depth conversations with each and every client to find out specific needs to help bring the brand to life and give her clients an interactive opportunity to watch their logos and branding come to life.

Custom costuming and interactive brand ambassador models will bring the biggest names to life and give guests an opportunity to engage, interact and enjoy the brand on a whole new, living experience. Would you like Bella to give your brand a whole new living interactive experience for your potential clients and customers? Email her today to bring your brand to life! info@tributeproductions.com

Mrs. Bella has always been inspired by Classic Hollywood and the talents, glamour and hard work of iconic stars of stage and screen. Bella started her love of Old Hollywood at the young age of 9 when her mom had a novelty shop in Laguna Beach that sold lots of movie posters, novelty Hollywood items and had a juke box in the middle of the store that played only music from the 1920-s 1940s. Customers would often giggle at how Bella would sing all the words to every song (“Drinking rum and Coca-coooola”) was not what your average 9 year old would sing, but Bella was destined to be influenced from such classic years throughout her life. When graduating 3rd grade, young Bella was asked to paint something “historical” on the 3rd grade art project mural which hung inside the school cafeteria. Among the astronauts and Presidents was Bella’s piece of “herstory” …BETTY BOOP! and when Bella went on to high school, she excelled in dance and drama productions always landing the role of “the flapper”. Bella even met her now husband crashing the wedding of rockabilly singer Brian Setzer’s wedding (a funny but destined night).

Classic Hollywood is a part of who Bella feels she truly is, without just imitating something or someone, Bella LIVES her love from inspiration and sincere joy. Bella’s dear Grandfather coined it best when he would call her “Lana” most of her life in reference to whom he felt lived in her soul. Bella would go on to play the part of “Lana Turner” for a skit on Comedy Central. “The glamour and beauty of Old Hollywood is something that should be remembered and honored and this is exactly why I have created my companies as we keep these Classic memories alive forever for new generations to experience”-